has done on syria. i understand the domestic reluctance to be involved, and i do not think the region itself wants direct military involvement in syria. we need to recognize that we are facing a situation where the country might cease to exist, the infrastructure of the country might cease to exist soon with all the destruction that is going on, and we are witnessing a rise in the radicalism and particularly by radical islamist groups in the country. the sooner the regime goes, the better. everybody understands in the region that the assad has zero chance of survival. the question is what kind of serious left after he goes. the u.s. needs to be a bit more proactive in working with the russians on making sure their interests are addressed in syria. i do not think russia is wedded to assad. may be establishing a no-fly zone from turkey, may be providing direct military assistance, but something to break the region's debt lot. syria cannot afford for a long time much of the destruction that it is undertaki